Gambling bill rolls dice in NH House

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- A new gaming bill to legalize video lottery and table games and provide two $50 million licenses will try its luck in the New Hampshire House.

Proponents tout the bill as a bipartisan, pro-business job creator that could prevent a drain of liquor, lottery and tourism revenue to Massachusetts, which passed gambling legislation last year.

Opposition to the bill is centered more on concerns the state would be cheaply licensing a gambling monopoly than on the social implications that held up legislation in the past. Although gambling bills have passed the Senate before, they have never succeeded in the House.

Gov. John Lynch has promised several times to veto any gaming legislation to reach his desk, most recently in his Jan. 31 state of the state address.